America’s capital will soon enjoy enhanced international connections through a non-stop link to Emirates’ global network, after the airline announced that it would start flights to Washington Dulles International Airport beginning on September 12, 2012. Emirates will operate the American manufactured Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft on its Washington, DC route, providing eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 304 seats in Coach.

“As Emirates’ seventh U.S. gateway and our third new American route to launch in 2012, Washington, DC is a significant next step as we continue to expand our services across the country,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. “From opening new gateways and creating thousands of American jobs through our aircraft orders; boosting trade and creating U.S. export-related jobs by bridging America with key markets across the world; to enhancing the services our customers enjoy in the air and on the ground through continuously upgrading our product, services and fleet, Emirates is a committed supporter of U.S industry.”

“The arrival of Emirates to Washington Dulles International Airport means travelers in the DC metropolitan area will have one more choice of international airlines and convenient access to Emirates’ continuously expanding global network,” said John E. Potter, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and Chief Executive Officer. “Emirates will provide an important economic boost by introducing the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to more markets for business, trade and tourism.”

Emirates is a steadfast supporter of U.S. job creation and innovation, employing American suppliers for a wide range of goods and services, such as the design of the airline’s First Class cabins, the manufacture of its window shades, aircraft wings and landing and runway technology. One of the key job creation drivers is Emirates’ Boeing 777 order book, which includes 85 777-300ER’s and nine 777 Freighters. According to Boeing, this 94 airplane-backlog represents more than one year of 777 production.

Emirates currently employs over 700 Americans at operations throughout the world, and anticipates hiring more than 4,000 cabin crew and 500 pilots globally this year. In the first two months of 2012, the airline has recruited cabin crew in Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle and Washington, DC. Emirates will also be holding pilot recruitment drives in the coming months.

“Virginia is now competing in the global marketplace for jobs, investments and opportunities and travelers from Virginia and throughout the U.S. will have new options for directly reaching overseas trade partners using this non-stop service from Dulles to Dubai, and then connecting to Emirates’ network of more than 120 worldwide destinations,” said the Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell. “This service represents the expansion of Virginia’s global business connections, and will help the economies of Virginia and our nation to grow by making it easier to connect Virginia with some of the fastest growing economies in the world”.

Starting September 12th, EK 231 will leave Dubai daily at 2:20 am and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 8:50 am. EK 232 will depart Dulles at 10:55 am arriving in Dubai at 8:00 am the following day.